Welding in winter

[Gary_in_Indiana]

How long would I have to leave 1/4" steel in a 55 degree environment (like a heated shop) to be able to effectively weld it after it has been in a 20 degree environment (like a brisk Indiana winter day)?

 

[Spencer]

I would just pre-heat the area to be welded with a torch (oxy/ac or propane).

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you're wearing good gloves, so your hands don't hurt when you pick the iron up, you can weld it as soon as you bring it in.
It will heat up quick enough when you strike an arc.
Unless you're welding alloys that require preheating, 20 or 55 degrees don't make a whole lot of difference.
I sure wish I woulda thought of the preheat story back when I was crawling under snow plows to weld on them though.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"I sure wish I woulda thought of the preheat story back when I was crawling under snow plows to weld on them though"</font color=blue>

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Point made. Thank you both. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hey Gary, out of the goodness of my heart, and at no additional charge, think Rain-X.
You'll figure it out soon enough.